Friday night features the round highlight with an always-entertaining Queensland Derby between the Broncos and Cowboys in Brisbane, while the earlier game between the Warriors and Melbourne should also be close.

All six NRL teams playing on Saturday are out to atone for Round 1 losses including the Bunnies who take on Manly and are without Greg Inglis for the foreseeable future after his knee injury in the opening week.

It is the battle of the big cats with the Wests Tigers looking overs to beat the Panthers on Sunday afternoon, before the Dragons and Eels face off later that day with St. George set to do it tougher than their 42 – 10 victory over Penrith in Round 1.

NRL ROUND 2

Sydney Roosters ($1.44) vs Canterbury Bulldogs ($2.90)

Thursday March 9, 2017 (8:05pm) – Allianz Stadium

First-up we have the Tri-Colours hosting the Doggies at Allianz and the Chooks chase a second win after an impressive 32 – 18 win over the Titans at the Gold Coast. Canterbury meanwhile went down by six to the Storm last Friday and looked pretty woeful despite the narrow margin. Last season Sydney took nine rounds to get their second win on the board, but they shouldn’t have any problems getting a second on the trot in 2017 here.

New Zealand Warriors ($2.10) vs Melbourne Storm ($1.78)

Friday March 10, 2017 (6:00pm) – Mt Smart Stadium

The Warriors get a second home game in as many weeks and come off the four point win over the Knights. They should have made a mess of Newcastle, but didn’t, and face a tougher task against a machine-like Melbourne outfit. Storm loose Jesse Bromwich, but still shape-up as a competitive club with the comp’s top defence. New Zealanders are notorious for getting frustrated in a situation like that and they’ll be going down here.

Brisbane Broncos ($1.85) vs North Queensland Cowboys ($2)

Friday March 10, 2017 (8:05pm) – Suncorp Stadium

Whether you’re from the Sunshine State or not, a Broncos vs Cowboys clash is always a must watch. The Brisbane fans get their first game at the old Lang Park and it should be a sell-out or close to. There’s plenty of history here – think back to the 2015 NRL Grand Final for one. Brisbane were knocked out of the finals last year with the thrilling extra-time semi-final loss to boys from NQ and will be out to atone. Anthony Milford is on fire for the Broncs and will be the difference here. Brisbane picked up there defence late to kick off 2017 with a win over the Sharks, while the Cowboys beat the Green Machine by four. It’ll go down to the wire again, but Brisbane might just have it with the Suncorp Stadium record.

Newcastle Knights ($2.50) vs Gold Coast Titans ($1.57)

Saturday March 11, 2017 (3:00pm) – McDonald Jones Stadium

Newcastle went down by four in a hard-fought battle with New Zealand across the Tasman last week and will enjoy being back home for this. The Titans couldn’t stop an exciting Roosters outfit in Round 1, but are favourites to get a win on the board here. Both clubs stopped their opening round outfits from being embarrassing with good second halves and this clash will come down to who has enough left in the tank in the second 40 mins. Think at home the Knights can expose the gaps in the Gold Coast’s mid-section and win.

Manly Sea Eagles ($1.70) vs South Sydney Rabbitohs ($2.20)

Saturday March 11, 2017 (5:30pm) – Brookvale Oval

Another two NRL teams that started out with a horror Round 1. Manly lost to the Eels at Brookvale, where they return in week two playing a GI-less Bunnies squad. Souths were in a world of hurt against a free-balling Tigers club last weekend and go into this clash as underdogs for a reason. Doesn’t look like it will be the Rabbitohs season in 2017 and think the worries will continue with a Sea Eagles’ win here.

Canberra Raiders ($1.55) vs Cronulla Sharks ($2.55)

Saturday March 11, 2017 (7:30pm) – GIO Stadium

The Raiders are at home here after the tough trip up to NQ Headquarters for a Round 1 loss to the Cowboys. The Sharks also lost last week going down to the Broncos. At home the Green Machine should be the notable improvers for Round 2. That said, the Sharks have won their past four at GIO Stadium. Can they keep that going? Maybe.

Wests Tigers ($2.05) vs Penrith Panthers ($1.82)

Sunday March 12, 2017 (4:00pm) – Campbelltown Stadium

The Big Cats face off at Campbelltown and despite an exciting opening win, the Tigers are underdogs for this clash. James Tedesco was the standout for Wests last week and he’ll be eager to post a four-pointer on Sunday afternoon against the Panthers who are the only NRL team he hasn’t scored against. Penrith skipper Matt Moylan will give Tedesco plenty of fight and can’t wait to see the forwards face off in this – Woods (Tigers) vs. Tamou (Panthers). Think the Tigers are way overs and tipping them to win again.

St George Illawarra Dragons ($2.05) vs Parramatta Eels ($1.82)

Sunday March 12, 2017 (6:30pm) – WIN Stadium

The Dragons got 2017 underway in the best way possible smashing Penrith 42 – 10 last Saturday. The Eels meanwhile also come off a win (20-12) over Manly. Only one will still be undefeated after the conclusion of Round 2. St George top the NRL Ladder, but whether they can keep that attacking momentum up is the question. The Eels were pretty strong in defence last week and that looks easier for them to maintain. Should be a cracker.